Can you build your own outdoor fireplace?
There are a lot of advantages to building an outdoor fireplace yourself. Primarily, you can spend a lot less money on it than if you had one built for you. You can also be in charge of the design. If you don’t like something, you can change it up so it fits you and your family’s needs.
Is it expensive to build an outdoor fireplace?
An outdoor fireplace will cost anywhere between $1,500 to $20,000. On average, it will run you about $3,000 to have a fireplace built. Pre-made kits and unfinished contractor models usually only run from $1,500 to $9,000. Custom projects typically cost between $8,000 to $20,000 – some even hitting $50,000.
How deep should a footing be for an outdoor fireplace?
The concrete pad for your project should typically be 4-6 inches thick, 3-4 feet deep, and 4-5 feet wide.
Is an outdoor fireplace worth it?
Benefits of Outdoor Fireplaces Outdoor fireplaces certainly cost more, but they also get used more even in areas with long winters. Outdoor fireplaces also work much better in windy areas and allow you to account for wind. Smoke from an outdoor fireplace will blow up the chimney, rather than to your seating area.
Do I need fire bricks in my outdoor fireplace?
Fire brick is optional when building a fire pit, but it depends on the rest of the materials you are using to build your pit. Some types of stone, masonry bricks, and compressed concrete can degrade or explode when exposed to the intense heat of a campfire.
Does an outdoor fireplace need a foundation?
A larger fireplace may require a structural footing, which involves pouring a concrete footing below frost level (the depth to which it freezes in your area). Depending on the size of your fireplace, an existing patio may not be sufficient to support the weight.
Do you need a flue in an outdoor fireplace?
Most fireplaces need a flue and a flue liner to keep them functioning properly, even in outdoor fireplaces. You can build an outdoor fireplace without a flue in rare cases, but it must be designed to accommodate this.
Can pavers be used as fire bricks?
These bricks are typically fired to 1800ºF and easily withstand the heat of flames. Landscaping brick that’s been kiln-fired is safe to use. Brick paver stones should also be safe to use.